2. Clinical Applications of Aspects of Daniel N. Stern's Theory of Infant Development:
Overview and Developmental Precursors to Subjective Experiencing
Presenter:
Susan M. Berger, MA, MFCC
Chair:
Robin S. Cohen, PhD
Stern's theory is discussed in terms of its impact on self psychology, general tenants and clinical applications and is followed by a review of the follow-up literature. The author then differentiates her clinical focus, which is intersubjective, from Stern's, and arrives at two fundamental questions concerning the creation of "optimal relatedness." These questions are, "how can development within each of Stern's domains of experience be facilitated?" and "how can transitional development from one domain to the next be facilitated?" Optimal relatedness is defined as the recognition (Benjamin) and acceptance of the subject's moment-to-moment experience of self and other that takes place either between two subjects or a subject and an object. Furthermore, for optimal relatedness to be present, co-creation must be present. Optimal relatedness necessitates the use of a two-person psychology conducted in certain languages, the language of potential space and the language corresponding to the domain of self experience in which the client is most centrally organized in the moment. This paper focuses on emergent and core domains of experience. Paradoxical experiencing, as occurs in potential space, or the movement towards paradoxical experiencing, is crucial in this endeavor. The two languages mentioned are discussed. A clinical application follows.